Your guide to dog dental care
Good dental care is so important for your dog’s overall health. From brushing hacks to spotting signs of dental disease, here’s how to keep those canine chompers in tip-top shape.
Your guide to dog dental care
Good dental care is so important for your dog’s overall health. From brushing hacks to spotting signs of dental disease, here’s how to keep those canine chompers in tip-top shape.
How to look after your dog’s teeth
How to look after your dog’s teeth
From decoding doggy breath to preparing for your dog’s first professional dental clean, all the expert advice to take care of your dog’s pearly whites.
Dental disease affects 80% of adult pets and can lead to bad breath, painful teeth, and potentially serious health problems if left untreated....
Bad breath in our pets can be more than just an unpleasant smell. It can indicate underlying health issues in their mouth or...
Like humans, dogs can develop dental problems, which, if left untreated, can lead to discomfort, bad breath, tooth loss, and even more severe health...
Bad breath in our pets can be more than just an unpleasant smell. It can indicate underlying health issues in their mouth or...
Dog dental care made easy
Dog dental care made easy
Check out these videos on how to look after your dog’s oral health.
How to brush your dog’s teeth
FAQs
Your top dog dental questions, answered by the experts.
Like humans, puppies are born without teeth – but they don’t stay that way for long. Their baby teeth begin to emerge when they’re three to four weeks old, and by eight weeks they’ve usually got a mouth full of 28 sharp teeth. From about four months old, puppies will lose all their baby teeth and up to 42 adult teeth will erupt in their place – usually by the time your dog is six or seven months old.
To clean your dog’s teeth, you’ll need a pet-specific toothbrush and pet toothpaste, plus a few treats on hand to reward your dog for their cooperation.
If it’s your first time, gently introduce the toothbrush and toothpaste, allowing them to sniff and taste and get used to the new sensation. Once you’re ready to start brushing, position the toothbrush where the teeth and gums meet, and brush in a circular motion. Begin at the front of their mouth and slowly work your way around their teeth, maintaining a 45-degree angle and concentrating on the base of the tooth and spaces between the teeth.
Keep the first few teeth brushing sessions short and gradually increase the duration as your dog gets used to it.
Brushing your dog’s teeth daily is ideal, but even a few times per week helps to reduce plaque and tartar and maintain good oral health.
Puppies lose their baby teeth when their adult teeth start to come in – usually from about four to six months old. This is a completely normal stage in your puppy’s development, but it’s a good idea to book a check-up with your vet during the teething period to make sure their adult teeth are coming through properly. If your dog’s adult teeth are emerging and their baby teeth haven’t fallen out, your vet may need to remove them to avoid overcrowding and misalignment.
Tooth loss in adult dogs is usually a sign of an underlying health issue or trauma, so if you notice your dog is missing a tooth, book a dental check-up with your vet.
Bad breath in dogs can be a sign of underlying health issues in their mouth or throughout their body. The primary culprit of bad breath is often periodontal disease, which is caused by the build-up of bacteria, tartar and plaque. This can harm a dog’s gums and oral ligaments, leading to tooth loss, and the bacteria can also travel through their bloodstream, affecting their organs. Other possible reasons for bad breath in dogs include:
- Diabetes, which might make their breath smell sweet
- Kidney disease, where toxin build-up can lead to bad breath
- Cancer affecting the oral cavity
- Skin infections in or around the mouth
- Ingested foreign objects, causing digestive problems and bad breath
It’s important to understand the reasons for bad breath in pets, so if you notice your dog’s breath is unpleasant, book a dental check-up with your vet.
The cost of dental cleaning for dogs varies from clinic to clinic and will depend on the condition of your dog’s teeth and whether they need any additional procedures, like a tooth extraction. Get in touch with your local vet to find out how much they charge. Remember, our Best for Pet Wellness Plan includes $250 off a dental treatment, so you can keep your pooch smiling for one low monthly fee.
Like humans, puppies are born without teeth – but they don’t stay that way for long. Their baby teeth begin to emerge when they’re three to four weeks old, and by eight weeks they’ve usually got a mouth full of 28 sharp teeth. From about four months old, puppies will lose all their baby teeth and up to 42 adult teeth will erupt in their place – usually by the time your dog is six or seven months old.
To clean your dog’s teeth, you’ll need a pet-specific toothbrush and pet toothpaste, plus a few treats on hand to reward your dog for their cooperation.
If it’s your first time, gently introduce the toothbrush and toothpaste, allowing them to sniff and taste and get used to the new sensation. Once you’re ready to start brushing, position the toothbrush where the teeth and gums meet, and brush in a circular motion. Begin at the front of their mouth and slowly work your way around their teeth, maintaining a 45-degree angle and concentrating on the base of the tooth and spaces between the teeth.
Keep the first few teeth brushing sessions short and gradually increase the duration as your dog gets used to it.
Brushing your dog’s teeth daily is ideal, but even a few times per week helps to reduce plaque and tartar and maintain good oral health.
Puppies lose their baby teeth when their adult teeth start to come in – usually from about four to six months old. This is a completely normal stage in your puppy’s development, but it’s a good idea to book a check-up with your vet during the teething period to make sure their adult teeth are coming through properly. If your dog’s adult teeth are emerging and their baby teeth haven’t fallen out, your vet may need to remove them to avoid overcrowding and misalignment.
Tooth loss in adult dogs is usually a sign of an underlying health issue or trauma, so if you notice your dog is missing a tooth, book a dental check-up with your vet.
Bad breath in dogs can be a sign of underlying health issues in their mouth or throughout their body. The primary culprit of bad breath is often periodontal disease, which is caused by the build-up of bacteria, tartar and plaque. This can harm a dog’s gums and oral ligaments, leading to tooth loss, and the bacteria can also travel through their bloodstream, affecting their organs. Other possible reasons for bad breath in dogs include:
- Diabetes, which might make their breath smell sweet
- Kidney disease, where toxin build-up can lead to bad breath
- Cancer affecting the oral cavity
- Skin infections in or around the mouth
- Ingested foreign objects, causing digestive problems and bad breath
It’s important to understand the reasons for bad breath in pets, so if you notice your dog’s breath is unpleasant, book a dental check-up with your vet.
The cost of dental cleaning for dogs varies from clinic to clinic and will depend on the condition of your dog’s teeth and whether they need any additional procedures, like a tooth extraction. Get in touch with your local vet to find out how much they charge. Remember, our Best for Pet Wellness Plan includes $250 off a dental treatment, so you can keep your pooch smiling for one low monthly fee.
Still scratching your head?
Still scratching your head?
Dog dental care starts with the right advice. Whether it’s about brushing techniques or bad breath, your vet has the answers.
More ways to keep your dog healthy
More ways to keep your dog healthy
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